This can be tricky because different manufacturers use different wiring schemes. Therefore we can only provide general recommendations.
Your Cobra radio comes with a cable for connecting a GPS. One end of the cable has a connector for plugging into the back of the radio. The other end has bare wires for connecting to a GPS. The Cobra radio requires an NMEA 0183 signal from the GPS device. If you would like to make your own cable, please see page 2.
If your GPS does not have a cable, then you must purchase a cable from the GPS manufacturer. You will also need wiring information for the cable (what each wire is for). Please contact the GPS manufacturer.
Generally here is how to connect:
- Connect the DATA OUT (+) wire from the GPS to the RED wire on the Cobra marine radio. The DATA OUT (+) wire might be labeled NMEA OUT (+), or NMEA TX (+).
- Connect the DATA OUT (-) wire from the GPS to the BLACK wire on the Cobra marine radio. The DATA OUT (-) wire might be labeled NMEA OUT (-) or NMEA TX (-). If you do not see such a wire from your GPS device, then just connect the BLACK wire to ground.
Let the GPS acquire satellites and check whether you can see your latitude and longitude coordinates on the display of the marine radio. If you see the coordinates then you are done. If you do not see the coordinates, then proceed with step 3.
- Configure the GPS
- Check the manual for your GPS and see if it is necessary to enable the NMEA output.
- If the output sentence is selectable, please choose either GGA, GLL, GNS, or RMC.
- Make sure that the NMEA output is configured to send standard NMEA sentences (not some kind of proprietary format).
- Check the manual for your GPS and see if it is necessary to enable the NMEA output.
When connected properly you will see GPS coordinates on the display of the marine radio. If you do not, then try switching the wires around (you will not hurt anything by doing so).
Cobra GPS Interface Cable
Note: This is the cable that plugs into the back of the Cobra marine radio. You will still need a cable from the GPS device. If your GPS does not have a cable then please contact the GPS manufacturer.
2.5mm Mono Plug